Dickson County handles Columbia Central for a 2-0 start

COLUMBIA, TN- Coming off an emotional win against Creek Wood in week 1, the Dickson County Cougars (2-0) followed it up with a 35-14 win at Columbia Central (1-1) Friday night.

Columbia Central quarterback Darien Davis, coming off a 5 touchdown performance against Hillwood, got the ball into Dickson County touchdown on the opening drive, but was picked off by Conner Stewart. Dickson County drove down the field and an 8-yard touchdown pass from Gage Pontremoli to Tristen Corlew made the score 7-0 in the first quarter. Pontremoli was the Manhattan Trophies player of the game, going 11/19 with 168 yards and 2 touchdowns, adding 6 rush yards and a touchdown as well.

“I felt pretty comfortable coming out” said Pontremoli, “At the beginning I was a little nervous but once we got out there for our first series I started getting comfortable, making plays and moving the ball.”

As the Lions tried to respond, Davis was picked off again, this time by star senior Darian Burns. Again, the Cougars marched down the field and it was Burns who punched it in from the 1-yard line. Burns led the Cougars in rushing with 14 carries for 65 yards and 2 touchdowns, and added 28 yards on one reception.

Davis scored from 9 yards out just before the break to make it 21-7, but the star quarterback was held to 116 total yards on Friday.

“Defensively we knew he was going to be a handful” said Dickson County head coach Randy Murphree, “we just needed to be able to tackle him and keep him in front of us and play another down.

“We were able to get to him sometimes, but holding on for dear life. He’s a great athlete.”

To start the second half, Dickson County was forced into a punt, and junior Jett Carter pinned the Lions on their own 1-yard line, where they went three and out.

A Luke Clifton interception on Columbia Central’s next drive got down to the 2-yard line, where Gage Pontremoli scored on a quarterback keeper in the fourth quarter to make it 28-7. A 36-yard screen to Conner Stewart in the second hald made the final score 35-14, and Dickson County is 2-0 for the first time since 2012, but Region 6-6A play begins next Friday

“We’re going to continue to work” said Murphree, “I know these guys are ready to do that.”

Drequan Vaughn led the Cougars in rushing with 75 yards on 9 carries, averaging 8.3 yards per carry. Gavin Meadows led the way on defense with 8 total tackles.

The Cougars return home next Friday to face the defending region champs Brentwood (1-1), kickoff is at 7pm and pregame begins at 6:40pm on 101.5 The One.